Roller-coaster decade had a bit of everything

It was ushered in with widespread fear of the Y2K virus, a booming housing market and voters placing faith in Stockton Unified School District.

And it sputters out with civic budget crises, unemployment near 17 percent, foreclosure bus tours and SUSD grappling for leadership.

In between there was enough good and bad - not to mention drama - to make the "00s" decade in Stockton, San Joaquin County and the Central Valley a memorable time of change, turmoil and hope.

We bonded together as a community - and nation - after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

We rode the wild roller coaster that was the 2000-09 economy.

We put a Stockton-raised astronaut into space just before the decade came to an end. Talk about going out with a bang.

Let's take a look back, by topic, at some things that affected local history during the past decade.

» Making history: Local residents reacted like most Americans after the 9/11 terrorism attacks (2001). They supported each other. They flew American flags. And they continued to exhibit patriotism as 29 county residents lost their lives in service to America in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

» We'll also recall: The terrorism probe at a Lodi mosque (2005-06) that affected a community. The Asparagus Festival's move to downtown Stockton (2004). Stockton was an All-American City for the second time in five years (2004). The emotional 20-year anniversary of the tragedy at Cleveland School (2009).

» Name to remember: Jose Hernandez. The son of farmworkers followed a lifelong dream to become an astronaut - and used education in SUSD and at University of the Pacific to fuel his dream (2009).

» Making history: The gubernatorial drama (Gray Davis was recalled, Arnold Schwarzenegger elected) dominated state politics. But the Central Valley had its own high-profile battle: incumbent Michael Machado versus former Stockton Mayor Gary Podesto in a $10 million 2004 election for state Senate. Machado won by a big margin.

» We'll also recall: Two visits to Stockton by President George W. Bush (2002, 2006). San Joaquin County having no state lawmakers who live in the county (current). San Joaquin County Supervisor Ed Simas caught on video destroying an opponent's signs (2000).

» Name to remember: Jerry McNerney pulled the political stunner of the decade by unseating the seemingly unbeatable Richard Pombo for Congress (2006).

» Making history: The Stockton Events Center opened downtown (2005). It included a sparkling new arena and beautiful baseball stadium, both on the waterfront. A neighboring upscale hotel opened to much acclaim, but struggled in the flailing economy.

» We'll also recall: City and county budget crises throughout the area (late in the decade). The United States Navy transferring Rough and Ready Island to Stockton (2000). Comedian Jerry Seinfeld headlining the re-opening of the renovated Fox Theatre as the Bob Hope Theatre (2004). The unsuccessful attempt to bring a decommissioned battleship to Stockton. The Hotel Stockton renovation (2005). Lodi underground contamination (early decade). The privatization and then de-privatization of Stockton waterworks utilities.

» Name to remember: Mark Lewis. The former Stockton city manager spearheaded downtown revival, but was later fired. His impact will be better judged by how downtown turns out over the long haul.

» Making history: From boom to bust, it was a decade of extremes in the local housing market. In 2000, eight of every 10 homes sold in the county went to a so-called BAT - Bay Area Transplant. That helped drive the price of homes up to amazing levels.

» We'll also recall: Contrasting growth issues confusing voters (2004). The birth of a new city, Mountain House (2003). Several planned major developments put on hold. Retail growth in Stockton, Lodi, Manteca and Tracy.

» Group to remember: Local Realtors. Perhaps no occupation changed as much this decade.

» Making history: SUSD voters approved bond measures of $80 million (2000) and $464.5 million (2008) and pledged faith that the long-struggling district could turn things around. The aborted, destructive tenures of superintendents Jack McLaughlin and Tony Amato curtailed progress.

» We'll also recall: The Franklin High football recruiting controversy (2007). Delta College's ongoing leadership infighting late in the decade. Gradual improvement in standardized test scores.

» Name to remember: Donald DeRosa retired as University of the Pacific president (2009) after helping re-establish the university's stature and community profile.

» Making history: The state and national debate over the death penalty became a focal point when the execution of Michael Angelo Morales was halted at the last minute (2006). The issue rages on.

» We'll also recall: The brazen courthouse attack of a judge and the fatal shooting of the murder defendant who attacked her (2009). A Lodi man released after 10 years in prison for raping a 13-year-old Lodi girl when DNA evidence showed his innocence (2005). Courthouse security issues. Connie Callahan's rise to a federal judgeship.

» Name to remember: Robert Wendland. Family members became engaged in a "right-to-die" case that likely was headed for the United States Supreme Court before Wendland died (2002).

» Making history: The Jones Tract levee break (2004) brought into focus the fragile nature of the Delta and its levees and increased the rhetoric among lawmakers in Sacramento and Washington to take action.

» We'll also recall: The statewide electricity crisis (2000 and 2001). Fires in the Mother Lode (2004). Gasoline shooting up to more than $3 a gallon. Ongoing greenbelt issues between Stockton and Lodi.

» Name to remember: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. He seems intent on digging that peripheral canal that voters shot down in 1982.

» Making history: The death penalty conviction of serial killer Louis Peoples (2000) brought to justice a brazen man who had made maps of his planned murders.

» We'll also recall: The "Black Widow" case in the Lodi area (2002). The murder and convictions of Wesley Shermantine (2001) and Loren Herzog (some of Herzog's verdicts were overturned). A deadly killing spree on Carpenter Road (2001). A California Highway Patrol officer's killing (2006).

» Names to remember: The victims. Cindy Vanderheiden, Aaron Kelly, Sandra Cantu, Terri Lynn Winchell (Morales' victim in 1981) and so many others were killed. They should not be forgotten.

» Making history: Veteran San Joaquin Sheriff Baxter Dunn left office in disgrace and was sent to prison in a federal corruption probe that also nabbed county supervisor Lynn Bedford and state official N. Allen Sawyer. The travails of renegade former lawman Monte McFall.

» We'll also recall: Successful crime fighting efforts. Five Stockton police chiefs since 2004. Blood Alley (Highway 12). The closing of the women's prison and some California Youth Authority facilities. The approval of new prison medical and re-entry facilities. A great response by fire crews to the Quail Lakes fire (2008). "Three percent at 50" pension issue for law enforcement that has affected city and county budgets.

» Names to remember: Ed Chavez served as Stockton police chief for the first part of the decade, then helped determine the department's direction during four years as mayor. Steve Moore solidified the Sheriff's Department.

» Making history: Stockton's Ricky Barnes won the United States Amateur golf championship (2002), and later made a splash at The Masters and United States Open.

» We'll also recall: University of the Pacific's forays into the NCAA men's basketball tournament. Stockton becoming a "hockey city" with the arrival of the Thunder (2005). St. Mary's hugely successful girls' basketball team.

» Name to remember: Charles Washington. The longtime Stockton football coach and community leader with ties to the city and Pacific died in 2009. He left an indelible mark.

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